The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), firmly rejects the violence claims tying it to assaults on Nigerian Christians, stressing its core goal is to safeguard herders’ rights nationwide.
According to reports, the association’s National President, Baba Othman Ngenzarma, made the clarification in an interview with BBC Hausa, where he described the group as inclusive and not driven by religious or ethnic bias.
Baba Othman Defends MACBAN’s Inclusivity Amid Violence Claims
Responding to allegations of religiously motivated violence, Baba Othman defended MACBAN’s stance. He highlighted the group’s inclusive nature.
MACBAN accommodates members from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.
This diversity undercuts claims of targeted attacks on any faith.
Othman’s remarks aim to reframe the narrative.
MACBAN Stresses Unity to Reject Extremism Claims
By emphasizing unity, MACBAN seeks to distance itself from extremism accusations.
“In our organization, there is no religion or ethnic group that is excluded.
We have Hausas, Yorubas, Igbos, and followers of both Islam and Christianity,” he said.
He maintained that the association should not be portrayed as a sectarian body, stressing that it represents herders irrespective of tribe or faith.
Recall that last month, the United States flagged MACBAN for scrutiny. They listed it among groups under review for potential sanctions.
The allegations center on supposed involvement in attacks targeting Christians. This move escalates international pressure on the herders’ group.
MACBAN at Pivotal Crossroads Amid US Sanctions Threat
MACBAN now faces a pivotal moment. Responding effectively could shape its future relations and operations.
But Baba Othman expressed surprise at the development.
“We do not carry weapons, and we have never sponsored any attacks.
The government has never charged us with any crime,” he stated.
US lawmakers Riley Moore and Chris Smith had presented a resolution referencing a committee report, which stated that Christians in Nigeria “have long been subjected to discrimination and violence.”
The resolution reportedly urged sanctions on MACBAN, other groups, and some Nigerians, including travel bans and asset freezes.
Baba Othman argued that the actions of a few individuals should not be used to judge the entire association.
“You may find wrongdoers among police officers or soldiers, but that does not mean the whole institution is corrupt,” he said.
MACBAN President: We Partner with Security, Foreign Missions on Challenges
Providing information to demonstrate its cooperation in addressing security challenges.
“We shared detailed information on members killed due to security challenges, including names, dates, and photos,” he said.
On the root causes of herder-related clashes in Nigeria, Baba Othman insisted that the conflicts are largely driven by land disputes rather than religious or ethnic animosity.
“Disputes arise over land use, not faith or tribe,”he said, attributing the tensions to desertification and increasing competition for farmland.
He maintained that environmental pressures and shrinking grazing routes have intensified disputes between herders and farming communities.
Urging stakeholders to address the underlying causes rather than frame the crisis along religious lines.
